Cowboys: DeMarcus Lawrence’s Development is Bittersweet
By Reid Hanson
The Cowboys third year defensive end, DeMarcus Lawrence, is becoming a formidable pass-rusher. Unfortunately that’s the end of the good news.
The Dallas Cowboys have good news and bad news to report from Cowboys Camp. The good news is they have one clear standout pass-rusher. The bad news is that pass-rusher will be suspended for the first four games of the season.
The impending suspension isn’t new news to anyone. We’ve known about this looming penalty for months now. But the past few days the reality of the situation has truly set in as DeMarcus Lawrence appears to be taking the next step in his development and his loss will be felt all the more.
DeMarcus Lawrence has yet to establish himself as a premier pass-rusher in the NFL. Heck, the former second round pick of the 2014 Draft only has eight career sacks after blanking completely in his rookie season.
After “breaking out” in the postseason of his rookie year, Lawrence collected eight sacks in his sophomore campaign. He didn’t beat many double-teams but he proved he was a player you couldn’t afford to forget about.
Pro Football Focus ranked DeMarcus Lawrence as the #18 edge defender in the NFL. Last season he was moved from the right side of the line to the left side of the line and Lawrence stood up to the run as well as the pass.
Early in training camp DeMarcus Lawrence appears to be taking the next step. Facing off against one of the best (if not THE best) left tackles in football, Tyron Smith, Lawrence is being tested by the ultimate barometer on a daily basis.
Don’t get me wrong, Tyron Smith is winning almost all of those battles but you’d expect that in an All-Pro like Smith. What’s noteworthy is that Lawrence is winning some of those battles. He’s implementing new pass-rush moves and doing so with confidence.
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Lawrence is developing by the day and he’s looking the part of the next great Cowboys pass-rusher. But wait…as we know, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in Casa de Lawrence. After repeated failed drug tests, the Cowboys best (and possibly only) pass-rusher will begin the season on the suspended list.
That’s ¼ of the season on the shelf.
To make matters worse, DeMarcus Lawrence is fully entrenched in the NFL substance abuse program. His four games are nothing compared to what he’ll be facing if he fails (or misses a test) again.
Look no further than fellow edge-rusher, Randy Gregory. Gregory is potentially facing a 10-game suspension this season, on top of his pending 4-game suspension that’s already been lost on appeal. Gregory is now only one test away from indefinite banishment.
Related Story: Like it or Not: Randy Gregory Will Soon Be Banished
DeMarcus Lawrence may be taking accountability for his actions but he’s only a couple failed tests away from a banishment of his own. This not only complicates things for the season, but for DeMarcus Lawrence’s entire career.
If Lawrence takes that next step in his pass-rush development (and it appears he has) then how much money to give him come contract time? Someone is going to pay him because pass-rushers are just that valuable. But it’s risky business to dedicate big money to a player in the NFL substance abuse program.
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So the Cowboys finally appear to have found the pass-rusher they’ve been searching for ever since DeMarcus Ware left. Unfortunately his behavior and current standing in the league makes his development a bittersweet reality.